Colusa recreation area among 70 state parks to close

The Colusa-Sacramento River State Recreation Area is one of 70 state parks that will be closed as part of a two-year $33 million budget cutback, the California Department of Parks and Recreation announced Friday.

"We regret closing any park," Ruth Coleman, director of California State Parks, said in a statement, "but with the proposed budget reductions over the next two years, we can no longer afford to operate all parks within the system."

The cuts include $11 million in the 2011-12 fiscal year, and $22 million in the following year.

Bidwell Mansion State Historical Park in Chico is also on the list. Also in Nevada County, Malakoff Diggins and South Yuba state parks are being closed.

"These cuts are unfortunate, but the state's current budget crisis demands that tough decisions be made," said Resources Secretary John Laird. "Hopefully, Republicans in the Legislature will agree to allow California voters to decide whether we extend currently existing taxes or make deeper cuts to our parks."

The announcement does not indicate when the official closure will take place, how the parks will be maintained, whether they will be barricaded somehow and at what cost or how many staff members will be losing their jobs.

Calls to the department were not returned.

The department reported the closures only impact 8 percent of park visitors and just 6 percent of park revenue statewide, but the impact to the local economies may mean a lot more.

With the parks closed, and access to the river limited, bait and tackle shops, gas stations, markets and other shops could see fewer outside visitors come through Colusa.

The Colusa park generates about $56,000 a year in revenue, but costs about $154,000 to operate, the state reported.

Colusa officials have worked several years toward building a new boat ramp at the park, but that project is clearly in jeopardy now.

The city and Colusa County officials also have discussed alternatives to running the park, including the city taking over operations.

Allowing local jurisdictions to take over the parks was part of a plan introduced by Assemblyman Jim Nielsen, R-Gerber, and it has been implemented in some areas.

"With this announcement, we can begin to seek additional partnership agreements to keep open as many parks as possible," added Coleman. "We already have 32 operating agreements with our partners — cities, counties and nonprofits — to operate state parks, and will be working statewide to expand that successful template."

The cuts leave 208 state parks open.

The state agency used a variety of criteria to make its decision, including the historical significance of the park, as well as its stature.

The number of visitors was factored in, as was the net savings, and whether partnerships such as substantial concession operations or nonprofit support existed.

Whether the park could actually be physically closed, the need to maintain infrastructure and land-use restrictions or grant requirements also were considered.